Introduction to Analytics

Analytics is the systematic process of examining data to draw conclusions and support decision-making. While Data Science often focuses on building predictive models, Analytics is a broader umbrella that includes everything from simple reporting to advanced statistical analysis.

Why Analytics Matters

Every organisation generates data - sales figures, website visits, customer feedback. On its own, this data is just numbers. Analytics turns it into something usable - trends, comparisons, and answers to specific business questions.

A Simple Example

A coffee shop tracks daily sales. Simply listing the numbers is data. Noticing that sales spike every Friday afternoon, and using that to plan staff schedules, is Analytics in action.

Analytics vs Data Science

Analytics tends to focus on understanding what has already happened and why, using existing data and established statistical methods. Data Science builds on this foundation, often adding machine learning to also predict what's likely to happen next.

Coming Up Next

Next, you'll look at the different stages Analytics typically moves through, from simple description to full-blown recommendation.